Editor,
Clearwood’s two newest roads failed to adapt KPFF engineers recommendations "Asbestos Pipe Replacement Recommendations.”
The Houghton/White Board in 2021 adopted a “Limited Scope” policy, a small-pipe replacement project favored by a firm no longer in business. The presenter and author Mitch Waterman presented his collaborative efforts and cost analysis during the May 2021 board meeting. That brief is on the CCA’s website today under “Reports of the Owners Representative” found under “Engineers & Consultants Reports” Tab, “May 2021” https://clearwood-yelm.com/engineers-and-consultants-reports/.
In 2020, the CCA board under Houghton/White hired the KPFF Engineers Inc from Lacey. In December of 2020, the CCA management was provided a detailed, voluminous 10-year report completed to 25%, an asbestos water main and road replacement project providing an 80- to 100-year underground solution. This project was embraced, approved and voted forward.
In February 2021, a 50% updated asbestos replacement and road project was presented and a vote to forward that plan was passed.
In early April of 2021, the KPFF engineers provided the CCA management with a 90% asbestos and road replacement plan, presented in good faith and provided the industry’s best practices. The KPFF engineers’ plan clearly identified retiring and replacing the CCA’s aging asbestos concrete pipe with PVC.
The KPFF plan referred to and was prepared in lockstep to the recommendations in the approved CCA’s 2020 Water System Plan, prepared by Northwest Water Systems Inc.
A voluminous 10-year plan completed to 90% offered a detailed $18 million improved infrastructure plan. This plan requires 12 major asbestos replacement underground water main projects and a complete rebuilding and repaving as the 2023-24 projects provided.
On April 20, 2021, Mitch Waterman in his monthly report to the CCA board of directors indicated new information was forthcoming.
New cost comparisons are outlined in a completed brief titled “Assumption vs. 04/30/2021,” titled “Limited Scope.” The Waterman plan purported a savings of $2 million to $4.5 million. The engineering cost was not disclosed nor was there a vote of the board approving these fund reallocations.
The City of Yelm is retiring its asbestos water mains, according to a 2015 local news article https://yelmonline.com/stories/yelm-signs-construction-contract-for-water-main-project,112422.
The Yelm city water construction policies and KPFF engineers’ policies have similar goals.
The CCA should not be planning large infrastructure payments from new homebuyers. The engineers plan is $50 million less costly.
The Houghton/White /Waterman managers favor a construction policy called “Limited Scope.” These policies require 24 major multimillion dollar projects estimated at $72 million in 40 years to retire all CCA asbestos water mains. Two 40-year projects have been completed; 22 projects remain if continued.
The KPFF engineers April 2020 90% plan requires 12 major projects estimated at under $18 million and achieves an 80- to 100-year solution, improves firefighting safety and retires all asbestos concrete pipe from CCA water infrastructure. This would include the complete rebuilding of the CCA roadways as they were rebuilt today.
The construction policies utilized by the Debra Baker/Daryl Harrington 2009 Board could further reduce cost. Those policies should be reviewed and competitive bidding embraced. The CCA board should pause these "Limited Scope" projects.
Terry Jonason, former CCA director
Tacoma
